DE PERE - The names of some of the participating troupes in the Green Bay Improv Festival should be your first clue that things are going to get a little silly this weekend.

The Green Room Lounge, 353 Main Ave., will welcome Liquor and Sweatpants from Green Bay, Monkey Business Institute from Madison and Jorts! from Minneapolis, among others, for the sixth annual event. More than a dozen comedy troupes as nearby as De Pere’s own ComedyCity and as far away as Los Angeles’ Stoltenberg & Co. will show off their comedic, theatrical and musical improv chops Thursday through Saturday.

The brainchild of Sean Yahn, the festival brings in talent and performance styles that local patrons would normally have to travel out of the area to see. Some troupes, which range from two to six performers each, perform short scenes and games like ComedyCity, which has been a local fixture for 30 years. Others perform styles that are more like mini plays based off a single suggestion.

While the festival offers audiences a different vibe than they’re used to from the weekly ComedyCity shows, there’s also something in it for those onstage.

“For the visiting troupes, it’s an opportunity to perform for a new audience, showcase their unique style or form and network with fellow improvisers. Additionally, it is an opportunity to learn,” Yahn said. “We bring in top level instructors to teach master classes that are exclusive to those performing in the festival. This year’s teachers are both Second City Los Angeles instructors.”

Comedy troupes from across the state as well as Chicago, Los Angeles and Minneapolis will show off ...more

Comedy troupes from across the state as well as Chicago, Los Angeles and Minneapolis will show off their skills during this weekend's Green Bay Improv Festival at The Green Room Lounge in De Pere.

Courtesy of Maggie Dernehl

The humor gets under way Thursday for Musical Night. Dan Rafferty’s free monthly piano bar sing-along runs from 6 to 7:45 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. improv show for $5. There’s also a post-show podcast recording.